Letters to the Editor, Friday, June 22, 2018

Economy is global, like it or not

Our president complains of too many German cars here. I just checked our two cars: our GM crossover SUV was made in Mexico and our Toyota compact SUV was built in Canada.

Corporate profits go to the U.S. and Japan, labor wages go to the workers in Mexico and Canada. However, the vast majority of the German cars are made in the USA. Profits go to Germany, but wages go to the 50,000 American workers who build the cars. And I have no idea how many countries the thousands of components come from.

Two of my kids work for Fortune 200 manufacturing companies, and both use a combination of U.S.-made (where available and cost-competitive) and imported components in their products. Like it or not, we have a global economy.

James Murray, Naples and Flat Rock, N.C.

Trump like Dennis

If Jeff Sessions is Mr. Magoo, Donald Trump is definitely Dennis the Menace.

Douglas Scrivani, Naples

Keep the pride

I am "CCPS proud." I’m proud of the variety of exceptional programs available in Collier County Public Schools. They serve the full range of students, from those with special needs to those with special talents, from those preparing to enter college to those who will graduate ready for a career.

District success can be measured in many ways, including an “A” rating and our fifth-place ranking out of 67 districts, up from 33rd seven years ago.

Accomplishments are also recognized at the beginning of each School Board meeting, with parents, teachers and coaches present to celebrate achievement in countless arenas, including academics, athletics and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics).

Then the crowd leaves and the business meeting begins. First up are citizens speaking during public comment. Frequently, that is when the mood in the room changes because the same few people stand to repeat one or another of their complaints or tell board members what they “must” do, sometimes two or three times in one meeting. These people are a small but vocal minority.

That’s why I’m asking the rest of the community — people who know what an excellent district we have — to speak up and drown out the naysayers. Parents, grandparents, volunteers, community partners: Make your voices heard. Attend School Board meetings. Use public comment opportunities to share good news or thank those who work so hard for our students. Tell your neighbors and friends. Write letters to the editor with specifics about what means the most to you.

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On Aug. 28, elect highly qualified School Board members who are also "CCPS proud.”

Sharon Harris-Ewing, Naples

Private dollars for private beaches

Brent Batten’s recent Sunday column on private beach legislation, sponsored by state Sen. Kathleen Passidomo, said it would require a judge to determine “customary use” on beach access areas above high tide. It is hard to believe that a groundswell of Passidomo’s constituents backs this change. It seems more likely that it is the special interests of hotels and beachfront property owners.

If I understand the column, currently elected leaders on the city council and county commission determine if the beach above the high tide line is available for public use. The law removes this power from these elected officials so a beachfront property owner can stake the beach to where they believe the high tide line is and threaten beachgoers with trespass if they put their chairs and towels on his property. If someone wants to dispute this, they can hire an attorney, pay costs to file suit and hopefully get a favorable decision. Who would ever spend the money to do that?

Fair enough, it’s a private beach. Any renourishment of private beaches should require payment from the private owners for all the truckloads of sand placed above the high tide line. Clearly, all of this sand is placed above the high tide line to prevent erosion.

The benefits of private ownership include all of its obligations. Many taxpayers would join in a suit preventing public tax dollars from benefiting private property owners.

John F. Hooley, Naples

Many will miss Brock

It seems like yesterday when I met Dwight Brock for the first time nine years ago when I began my volunteer service with the clerk of courts.

I recall being a bit overwhelmed by his boisterous style, outspoken demeanor and northern Florida accent that was alien to my Brooklynese style of talk. Now, nine years later, not only am I happy to be part of the Clerk of Courts Office, but even happier to have met a man who sincerely gave so much of his time to be the ultimate public servant to all citizens of Collier County. “We’re here to serve” was his motto and that truly was the aim of all his actions.

Having my office just steps from his office allowed me to see his personal side as well as his dedication to his family when he had a few minutes to stop by. He would even call out “Oh, no! ... Mr. Bill” when his eyes glanced at my little "Saturday Night Live" Mr. Bill figurine on my desk.

That was the beauty of this man. He combined humor, dedication and professional and academic prowess with his ability to lead a complex agency. It is no wonder that he served since 1994.

I speak for myself when I say I’ll miss him, though I know in my heart there’s a line of people who would mirror the same.

William Molbert, Naples

May be last straw

After 41 years of subscribing to the Naples Daily News, I am ready to cancel my subscription.

I have had numerous subscriptions to various periodicals over the years. Only this one has changed the terms midcontract. I paid for one year at the negotiated rate. Now two months before the end of that term, I have received a statement giving me credit at the agreed rate and charging me the new rate. The phone number provided is not local and the contact was less than satisfactory.

Since this seems to be the new business as usual, I would like to alert others. It seems there are different codes of ethics for circulation and the newsroom. The decline in quality has been disappointing, but this may be the last straw.

Lynette O'Donnell, Naples

Use fines to pay for school officers

Trying to find a way to pay the extra sheriff's deputies in the schools and make the roads safer?

Go back and use the red light cameras and have all fines go towards paying the school resource officers in the schools. Now, who could complain about that?

Tim Petro, Naples

Investigation bias not improper

The key to President Donald Trump supporters' claims about the inspector general’s report is that FBI Agent Peter Strzok was against Trump from early on and was therefore biased. They ignore the finding that his "bias" played no part in what happened in the investigation.

But a point everyone seems to miss is that investigators are always biased to the extent they believe there is a reason for their investigation. When Rudy Giuliani, as U.S. attorney for Manhattan, went after the Mafia in New York, it was because he believed they were guilty of crimes. He was biased.

Investigations of those who are under suspicion is not an example of unfair bias, but rather are the effort to gather evidence of what law enforcement officials already suspect are crimes. This effort is not improper bias, but standard and necessary to all law enforcement.

Mark B. Cohn, Naples

Putnam avoids issues

The advertisements for Florida gubernatorial candidate Adam Putnam, funded by big sugar and Publix, are divisive and do not talk about any issues.

Rather than Putnam speaking out against "elites," whoever they are, we should be hearing about his stand on issues and problems facing Florida.

I would hope the next governor would bring people together for the good of all.

Mark MacLean, Naples

Smarter gender left out?

Regarding the story headlined “Study pegs decline in IQ scores.”

Again, another study involves males only. Maybe the reason for the decline in the IQ of the study participants is because the smarter gender was left out.

Kathrine Drayton, Naples

Nothing to fear

In his recent letter, John Domenie informs us that he came to the U.S. on a student visa in 1944 and in 1948 applied for citizenship, which gave him the right to pay taxes and serve in the military. He goes on to say, "I do believe that any immigrant who serves in the U.S. military and obtains an honorable discharge is eligible to become a U.S. citizen."

Domenie may be surprised to learn that things have changed somewhat since the 1940s. Today, no one who comes to America legally on a student visa, or any other temporary visa, is eligible to serve in the military, much less simply apply for citizenship. The same rules apply to illegal immigrants.

Since only legal immigrants who obtain permanent residency (green cards) have a path to citizenship, and only citizens are allowed to vote, I fail to see how Domenie's fear that the American Civil Liberties Union will force the government to let illegal immigrants vote could become a reality.

So, relax, Mr. Domenie. Every administration since President John Kennedy's day has promised to overhaul the immigration system, succeeding only in making it more convoluted and restrictive. I can't imagine the ACLU effecting any changes to voting practices, positive or otherwise, in the foreseeable future.